Overview

The Graduate Diploma in Complex Systems will provide you with an introduction to the analysis and design of technological, socioeconomic and socioecological systems. Smart cities, megaprojects, power and data grids, ecosystems, communication and transport networks are all complex systems that generate rich interactions among components with interdependencies across systems. This interdependent behaviour challenges for designing and managing complex systems.

This program will introduce you to system dynamics, modelling and simulation. It will help you gain further knowledge in the fields of engineering, computer science, information technology, physics, mathematics, health, biology or business, while training you to apply systems thinking in these fields. The graduate diploma will provide you with the skills to operate across disciplinary boundaries, in environments outside the experience of most professionals, particularly in major multinational research and development companies, governments and crisis-management agencies and large health, construction and transport organisations.

The core units of study cover quantitative fields of large-scale networks, interdependent civil systems, self-organisation and criticality, statistics and stability analysis. You may also choose some electives in the fields of engineering, ecology, biosecurity or transport.

Successful completion of the eight units of study (one year full-time) with a credit average will allow you to progress to the Master of Complex Systems.

Subject areas

This course has no specialisation or major.

Entry, fees, funding & how to apply

Depends on your qualification, citizenship status

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The details on this page based on your selections are a guide only, and are subject to change.

Admission criteria

To be eligible for admission, an applicant is required to have:

an Australian bachelor’s degree with a credit average (60 percent) in a quantitative* discipline or equivalent qualification

*A quantitative discipline includes data science, computer science, mathematics, statistics, engineering, physics, economics, finance or other disciplines that are deemed equivalent. As a guideline, the curriculum of a quantitative discipline should include some study of mathematics or statistics at the tertiary level.

For qualifications awarded outside Australia, equivalencies and entry requirements are determined based on the country, institution and qualification.

Career Pathways

As a graduate diploma holder in complex systems, you will have a competitive advantage over people with merely a first degree to pursue careers, particularly in major multi-national research and development companies, government and crisis management agencies, and large health, construction and transport organisations. Successful completion of eight units of study at a credit average will allow you to articulate your studies to the Master of Complex Systems.

Future study options

Domestic students

Indicative Postgraduate Student Contribution Amount

The student contribution amount for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the amount payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact student contribution that you pay will depend on the calendar year in which you undertake your study, and the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol.
For further information about how to calculate your specific total student contribution, please refer to the University's Tuition Fees website.

Annual review and fee increases

Importantly, student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University, and will increase each year of your period of study (subject to a Commonwealth specified cap), effective at the start of each calendar year.

Indicative Postgraduate Domestic Tuition Fee

The tuition fee for a domestic postgraduate student is an indication only of the fees payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). Depending on the calendar year in which you undertake your study, and if your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL, your tuition fee will differ from the indicative amount.

Annual review and fee increase

Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review by the University, and will increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental costs

For some courses there are incidental costs additional to the student contribution and/or course fee. Some of these incidental costs are significant, for example, course-specific materials, tools, protected clothing and equipment. Further information about these costs is available from https://sydney.edu.au/students/materials-and-equipment.html.

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about fees.

International students

Indicative International Tuition Fees for Postgraduate Students

The tuition fee for international postgraduate students is an indication only of the fees payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). Depending on the calendar year in which you undertake your study, and if your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL, your tuition fee will differ from the indicative amount.

Annual review and fee increases

Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review, and will increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental costs and health insurance

For some courses there are incidental costs additional to the tuition fees. Some of these incidental costs are significant, for example, course-specific materials, tools, protected clothing, and equipment. Further information about these costs is available from https://sydney.edu.au/students/materials-and-equipment.html.
In addition to the fees indicated here for the course of study, International Students studying on an Australian Student Visa must have appropriate health insurance for the duration of their studies on a Student Visa through an approved provider of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, unless otherwise exempted by the Government.

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about fees.